As I reported in another post, I’m heading back to work for at least the next 6 months. So, my dream-world job as music director is coming to an end. LOL. I continue to receive requests for complete music lists. Well, these things are never finalized but I’ll agree to provide what I have in this forum. I really don’t have time to send out specific lists – sorry. That will be limited to the 70’s and 80’s because this is main focus of the format anyway.
For the format, I had a non-traditional view as a way to guide me. Those who are the classic hits format purists will no doubt notice titles that they will feel do not belong. Actually, I believe they serve very critical purposes. At this point, I’m not even in agreement the format would be under the classic hits umbrella but rather something that doesn’t even exist (yet). I think of this as a “metro” format – one that reflects a metro area’s diversity and energy. It’s not true oldies, it’s not AC, it’s not really urban – it’s unique on to itself offering familiar music and real variety and something I believe can help radio in the future.
In every major metro area, there is/are section(s) of town where young professionals gather after work. Usually these are the places where you can unwind with a drink and a small plate. It’s not by accident, I believe, that often times the background music is from satellite. Sometimes the 70’s channel plays, sometimes the 80’s and even sometimes oldies. More often, I’ve observed (I think it’s Ch 25?? on Sirius/XM that plays the different decades.) I think of the impressions it makes and I think of the appeal.
When I’ve transferred this thinking to the business rules of radio, I realized more than ever that terrestrial radio doesn’t even come close. There are lots of lessons learned as well. When you review the selections, the 80’s for example come just under 500 titles. On the surface, it may sound like a reincarnation of the Point – it’s not. Where the Point erred is basically they played one 80’s song after the next. A strict 80’s format even with an occasional 90’s song offered will not work because it burns out fast.
For this format, I can see presenting an 80’s song every 3rd or 4th song or so. In any given hour, 4 80’s songs would be a good mix – at least for now. Given there are almost 500 songs just on the core list, even an idiot can see burnout would be very much minimized – just like Sirius/XM is able to do with their large libraries. This will help increase listener loyalty and build numbers.
There are ways to mix in 60’s. In the future, I see a lot of this in special programming as the titles will have a diminished role. I’d treat younger listeners with the respect they deserve as I believe if it is not overdone, they would appreciate hearing what many regard as the greatest creative wave of music ever. Funny thing is, they are more familiar with 60’s music than today’s radio geniuses give them credit – they can handle it. This season, start counting the number of times American Idol does 60’s, 70’s and 80’s themed shows
Given the nature of the 25-54 parameters, I challenge anyone to not see the viability of what is presented. I can see lots of female interest in this and for the owners who combine it with their leading AC, holy cow – the 2 stations could dominate the market, especially in the PPM world.
Perhaps I dream of things that never were or never will be. So, without getting too serious all I ask is to enjoy the power of music as you go through the lists. As I even think of the 90’s and non Hip Hop artists, I can see how the format can grow into the future given the carefully selected songs of the 80’s and even the 70’s. Positioning would not be an issue.
Anyway, this is finally the end of the road for this. I often wished this market wasn't so fast in not seeing this potential. My motivation was always that Jax radio listeners deserved something more exciting and inviting. Offering something unique is a strategy to stay competitive with alternatives.
Because of space limitations, I will split the list into different sections. With radio as theater of the mind, just imagine hearing these songs one after another in a special countdown....
For the format, I had a non-traditional view as a way to guide me. Those who are the classic hits format purists will no doubt notice titles that they will feel do not belong. Actually, I believe they serve very critical purposes. At this point, I’m not even in agreement the format would be under the classic hits umbrella but rather something that doesn’t even exist (yet). I think of this as a “metro” format – one that reflects a metro area’s diversity and energy. It’s not true oldies, it’s not AC, it’s not really urban – it’s unique on to itself offering familiar music and real variety and something I believe can help radio in the future.
In every major metro area, there is/are section(s) of town where young professionals gather after work. Usually these are the places where you can unwind with a drink and a small plate. It’s not by accident, I believe, that often times the background music is from satellite. Sometimes the 70’s channel plays, sometimes the 80’s and even sometimes oldies. More often, I’ve observed (I think it’s Ch 25?? on Sirius/XM that plays the different decades.) I think of the impressions it makes and I think of the appeal.
When I’ve transferred this thinking to the business rules of radio, I realized more than ever that terrestrial radio doesn’t even come close. There are lots of lessons learned as well. When you review the selections, the 80’s for example come just under 500 titles. On the surface, it may sound like a reincarnation of the Point – it’s not. Where the Point erred is basically they played one 80’s song after the next. A strict 80’s format even with an occasional 90’s song offered will not work because it burns out fast.
For this format, I can see presenting an 80’s song every 3rd or 4th song or so. In any given hour, 4 80’s songs would be a good mix – at least for now. Given there are almost 500 songs just on the core list, even an idiot can see burnout would be very much minimized – just like Sirius/XM is able to do with their large libraries. This will help increase listener loyalty and build numbers.
There are ways to mix in 60’s. In the future, I see a lot of this in special programming as the titles will have a diminished role. I’d treat younger listeners with the respect they deserve as I believe if it is not overdone, they would appreciate hearing what many regard as the greatest creative wave of music ever. Funny thing is, they are more familiar with 60’s music than today’s radio geniuses give them credit – they can handle it. This season, start counting the number of times American Idol does 60’s, 70’s and 80’s themed shows
Given the nature of the 25-54 parameters, I challenge anyone to not see the viability of what is presented. I can see lots of female interest in this and for the owners who combine it with their leading AC, holy cow – the 2 stations could dominate the market, especially in the PPM world.
Perhaps I dream of things that never were or never will be. So, without getting too serious all I ask is to enjoy the power of music as you go through the lists. As I even think of the 90’s and non Hip Hop artists, I can see how the format can grow into the future given the carefully selected songs of the 80’s and even the 70’s. Positioning would not be an issue.
Anyway, this is finally the end of the road for this. I often wished this market wasn't so fast in not seeing this potential. My motivation was always that Jax radio listeners deserved something more exciting and inviting. Offering something unique is a strategy to stay competitive with alternatives.
Because of space limitations, I will split the list into different sections. With radio as theater of the mind, just imagine hearing these songs one after another in a special countdown....
Enjoy.